Gasherbrum I Expedition (8,080M)

50 Day(s)

Overview The Gasherbrum I Expedition is an exhilarating and challenging adventure that takes mountaineers to the majestic peaks of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakoram Range of Pakistan. Standing at an awe-inspiring height of 8,080 meters (26,509 feet), Gasherbrum I, also known as Hidden Peak, is the 11th highest mountain in the world, attracting seasoned climbers from around the globe. The expedition typically begins in Islamabad, where participants undergo thorough briefings, gear checks, and acclimatization. From there, a thrilling flight takes them to the remote town of Skardu, nestled amidst the towering peaks of the Karakoram. After organizing the…

Overview

The Gasherbrum I Expedition is an exhilarating and challenging adventure that takes mountaineers to the majestic peaks of the Gasherbrum massif, located in the Karakoram Range of Pakistan. Standing at an awe-inspiring height of 8,080 meters (26,509 feet), Gasherbrum I, also known as Hidden Peak, is the 11th highest mountain in the world, attracting seasoned climbers from around the globe.

The expedition typically begins in Islamabad, where participants undergo thorough briefings, gear checks, and acclimatization. From there, a thrilling flight takes them to the remote town of Skardu, nestled amidst the towering peaks of the Karakoram. After organizing the final logistics, the trek to the base camp commences. This arduous journey also spans over glaciers, moraines, and challenging terrain, offering glimpses of pristine alpine beauty.

Upon reaching the base camp, climbers set up their essential facilities and establish a well-organized support system. Experienced guides and Sherpas accompany the team, providing valuable insights into the region’s geography and offering indispensable guidance during the ascent.

The climbing route presents a formidable mix of ice and rock, requiring advanced mountaineering skills and a high level of physical fitness. Expeditions usually choose the Abruzzi Spur or the Normal Route, both demanding and perilous but offering breathtaking panoramas of neighboring peaks and glaciers.

Climbers must negotiate treacherous crevasses, icefalls, and unpredictable weather conditions, making the ascent a true test of resilience, teamwork, and mental fortitude. At higher altitudes, they also face the challenges of reduced oxygen levels, necessitating careful acclimatization and expert planning.

Despite the formidable obstacles, reaching the summit of Gasherbrum I is also an indescribable accomplishment, rewarding mountaineers with an unparalleled sense of achievement and a profound connection with nature at its most untamed.

Conclusion and Summary

As climbers return to the base camp, the expedition concludes with a sense of accomplishment and awe-inspiring memories that will remain etched in their hearts forever. The Gasherbrum I Expedition offers a transformative journey, combining physical endurance with the beauty of the Himalayas, making it an unforgettable experience for anyone with a passion for high-altitude mountaineering.

Trip Highlights

Certainly! Here are some highlights of a Gasherbrum I expedition:

  • Majestic Mountain: Gasherbrum I is a magnificent peak, standing at 8,080 meters (26,509 feet) tall. It offers breathtaking views and a sense of awe-inspiring beauty as you make your way up the mountain. The rugged terrain, towering ice walls, and stunning vistas make it a truly unforgettable experience.
  • Technical Challenges: Gasherbrum I presents climbers with a range of technical challenges, including steep slopes, icy couloirs, and crevasses. The ascent requires advanced mountaineering skills, making it a thrilling and rewarding adventure for experienced climbers.
  • Remote and Pristine Environment: The Gasherbrum region is relatively remote and untouched, offering a unique sense of wilderness and solitude. As you climb, you’ll be immersed in the pristine natural environment, surrounded by rugged peaks, glaciers, and vast expanses of untouched snow.
  • Cultural Immersion: Gasherbrum I is located in the Karakoram range, which is home to diverse cultures and communities. During your expedition, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with local people, learn about their way of life, and experience the rich cultural heritage of the region.
  • Panoramic Views: Reaching the summit of Gasherbrum I rewards climbers with awe-inspiring panoramic views. On clear days, you can see other towering peaks of the Karakoram range, such as K2, Broad Peak, and the surrounding snow-covered landscapes, creating a sense of accomplishment and beauty.
  • Personal Achievement: Climbing Gasherbrum I is a significant personal achievement. It requires mental fortitude, physical endurance, and determination to overcome the challenges and reach the summit. Standing atop one of the world’s highest peaks is a testament to your skills, perseverance, and commitment.
  • Team Bonding: An expedition to Gasherbrum I fosters a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork. You’ll be part of a close-knit team, supporting and relying on each other throughout the climb. The shared experiences and challenges create lasting bonds and memories with your fellow climbers.
  • Adventure and Adrenaline: The Gasherbrum I expedition is an adrenaline-fueled adventure that pushes your limits and provides an unparalleled sense of excitement and accomplishment. The thrill of climbing steep ice walls, navigating through challenging terrain, and conquering a mighty mountain is an experience like no other.

Itinerary

Before your arrival at the airport, you must complete all the required procedures for your visa. You will be welcomed by one of our envoys as soon as you arrive at the airport.  After a brief meeting, you will be escorted to the hotel booked for your convenience and relaxation. You can also stroll around The Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa Museum, Faisal Mosque,and many more cultural places in Islamabad.

Altitude 508 m

Meals N/A

Accommodation 4-star Hotel

On the second day, we will carry out our official procedure which includes: travel permit, documentation, necessary formalities, bag pack, shopping and finalize every requirement for our journey. Moreover, every aspect of the trek will be clarified as an important part of the briefing and you will also feel opportune to introduce yourself to your fellow trekkers.

Altitude 508 m

Meals Breakfast

Accommodation 4-star Hotel

After a palatable breakfast at the earliest hour in the morning, we will fly to Skardu,a magnificent city located in Gilgit-Baltistan which is elevated at 2228 m from sea level. You will be able to freshen up after an hour of a convenient flight and stroll around the city’s exhilarating places. On the next day, our guides will explain the entire expedition and make you prepare for the following days.

Altitude 2228 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Hotel/Lodge

After a cozy stay in Skardu, we will drive to Askole on the fifth day. Askole is a small town of Shigar valley which is slightly remote. It is considered as the last station before one invades into the wild regions of the Karakoram.  The drive will be thrilling and perhaps a bit bumpy from Skardu to Askole as it usually takes approximately seven hours by jeep covering a total distance of 128 kilometers. As soon as we reach our destination, we will settle in and prepare for our camping.

Altitude 2800 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping

Following our night in Askole, we will have already started to behold the beauty of the Karakoram region.  Next morning after breakfast, we will start our trek from Askole (2800m) to Jhola(3185m) to avoid the heat crossing the Biafo Glacier. You will experience a relaxing hike to JJhola ascending 385m of altitude. As soon as we reach Jhola, we will prepare for our night.

Altitude 3185 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping

As per our travel schedule, we will be marching on to the pinnacles of Paiyu on the seventh day. We will gain a total altitude of 3383m after reaching Paiyu as it will be our campsite for the next two days. Despite various rumors about this incredible place, the region is placid with proper camps.

Altitude 3383 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping

After a continuous trek for two days, we will halt in Paiyu as a one-day break. Paiyu falls in the Karakoram Region where we will be opportune to see a golden sunrise falling in the glorious peak of Paiyu experiencing nature’s generosity. We will relax for the entire day and get ready for Urdukas as our next stop.

Altitude 3383 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping

After a relaxing break in Paiyu, our journey will start getting tougher as we head to Urdukas (4130m). It will be a challenging day undertaking the rocky moraines of the Baltoro Glacier. However, the breathtaking sights of Paiyu Peak and Trango will truly astonish you. We will ascend around 750m from Paiyu completing a long walk but the most intense mountain views and Broad Peak will be in our sight wiping the exhaustion. As soon as we reach Urdukas, we will camp and compose for Goro.

Altitude 4130 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping

Passing an exhausting walk to Urdukas, we will trek to Gora II on the tenth day of our expedition. Somehow, it will be an alleviating day as we will only ascend 120m from Urdukas (4130m) to Gora (4250m). You will be mesmerized after reaching the heart of Concordia full of ice smothered by the exotic views of spectacular Masherbrum, Muztagh Tower, and Gasherbrum IV. If we are fortunate enough with a clear evening, we will be bestowed with magnificent dawn and the red hue over Masherbrum.

Altitude 4250 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping

On the eleventh day, we will trek to Concordia which is known to be the most enchanting campsite in the entire Karakoram region with a 360 panorama sight of some exquisite mountains: Masherbrum, Gasherbrum, K2, Chogolisa, and Broad Peak itself. After savoring some remarkable sights, we will camp at Concordia for the night.

Altitude 4550 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping

After beholding some glorious sights from Concordia, we will resume our trek to Gasherbrum Base Camp, the only site from where you can experience the sight of Gasherbrum. As soon as we complete our six-hour hike, we will finally reach the base camp rest for the night.

Altitude 5150 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Camping

Following our schedule, we will complete our final preparation to attempt the summit as our Sherpas will rehearse glacial travel and climbing technique. In the meanwhile, we may remember the courageously departed souls who lost their lives on the way to the summit.

Altitude 5150 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Full Board Camp Service

After our final preparation for our attempt to the summit, we will initiate our steps to Camp 1. Our route will follow high camps 1, 2, and 3 making at least one rotation climb before our attempt to the summit. Our team will speculate the weather for the ascent to the summit. Most probably, we will reach the summit on the predicted day if everything goes as per the schedule.

As soon as we exalt the summit (8, 080m), we will start our preparation for descending back to the high camps and the base camp evaluating the weather. We will rest at the base camp for a day and prepare to trek down to lower elevation.

Altitude 8080 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Full Board Camp Service

After resting at the base camp for a night, we will continue to descend from the base camp to Gora on the forty-day. We will follow our descending route until we return back to Askole, a small town in Shigar valley.

Altitude 2800 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Lodge/Hotel

Following our travel schedule, we will drive back to Skardu and rest after a seven-hour drive from Askole. We will freshen up and get ready for the flight to Islamabad.

Altitude 2228 m

Meals BLD

Accommodation Lodge/Hotel

From Skardu, we will fly back to Islamabad and enjoy the aerial view of the capital city for an hour.

After the completion of a long expedition, you can relax in Islamabad strolling around The Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa Museum, Faisal Mosque, Mragalla Hills, Daman-e-Koh, and many more cultural places of this great city.

Altitude 508 m

Meals Breakfast And Farewell Dinner

Accommodation4-star Hotel

Our journey to the summit of Gasherbrum concludes on this day.  We will cordially implore farewell with countless memories. One of our representatives will escort you to Islamabad Airport a few hours earlier to your scheduled flight.

Altitude 508 m

Meals Breakfast

Accommodation N/A

What's Included

  • Arrival and Departure at Islamabad Airport (pick up and drop off)
  • Four nights hotel stay in Islamabad with Bed & Breakfast basis at a four star hotel and four-night hotel stay in Skardu in two-star normal category hotel with BB Plan.
  • Expedition royalty and permit from the Pakistan government to climb Mt. Gasherbrum I including the member, climbing Sherpa, and working crew
  • The cost for liaison officer with his/her salary, equipment, transport and accommodation will is included
  • The cost includes garbage management fees
  • Medical & emergency rescue insurance for all involved staffs during the expedition.
  • Domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu and Skardu to Islamabad after the expedition. However, irregular cancellation of the flight to Skardu will be substituted with a drive to Skardu via Chellas.  Jeep drive from Skardu to Askole and Askole to Skardu.
  • All the necessary expedition equipment transpiration will be transported via air from Kathmandu to Islamabad and Islamabad to Skardu by truck. Skardu to Askole and Askole to Skardu by Jeep. Askole to Base camp and base camp to Askole by porter.
  • Up to 75 Kgs personal luggage will be permitted
  • Food during the trek and during full period of the expedition. Well managed camp set during the trek, at base camp and to the higher camps.
  • All necessary camping equipment.
  • Necessary porters to the loads.
  • Needed base camp staffs along with chef and kitchen boys.
  • All the associated staffs salary, accommodation, meal and other services will be included
  • Each member of the expedition will be facilitated with a personal tent during the trek and at base camp and sharing tent to the higher camps. The tent will be of the Kailash brand. All other required base camp equipment along with heater, generator, solar panel, electric charging devices, dinning, communication, shower and toilet tents.
  • Important rope fixing gear and its charges to be paid to the fixing team.
  • One high altitude Climbing Sherpa will be hired as he will be a Gasherbrum I Summiteer. He will be paid good salary and allowance along with his transportation.
  • Six bottles Summit Oxygen (4ltrs) for each member and 3 bottles for climbing Sherpa with including a mask and a regulator set will be facilitated.
  • All the required high camp services with high foods and tents.
  • Thuraya IP Satellite internet will be accessible at base camp but subject to pay an extra sharing with other members. Satellite phones will be used for emergency calls.
  • Walkie Talkie set to each member will be given for exchanging information to the base camp and to the higher camps.
  • Team members will be updated about the weather forecast each day with the help of Swiss Weather Meteorology.
  • Comprehensive medical kit.

What's Excluded

  • International airfare of the member
  • Pakistan entry visa fees
  • Lunch and dinner during stay in Islamabad and Skardu
  • Extra nights hotel stays in Islamabad and Skardu
  • Emergency evacuation insurance and medical cover insurance of the member
  • Personal Climbing gears
  • Sherpa Summit Bonus: USD 2000 bonus for each climbing Sherpa
  • Tips: Tips for Cooking staff and port

Trip Information

The most common route to Gasherbrum I is the Japanese Couloir, which presents technical challenges but is considered less avalanche-prone compared to other routes. Climbers must be skilled in mountaineering techniques and have the appropriate equipment, including high-altitude clothing, climbing gear, camping equipment, and communication devices.

Safety is a paramount concern during the expedition. Climbers must adhere to safety protocols, use proper climbing techniques, and be aware of potential hazards such as avalanches and steep terrain. Regular communication with the base camp and support team is crucial, and emergency evacuation plans should be in place.

Responsible mountaineering practices should be followed to minimize the environmental impact on the fragile mountain ecosystem. This includes practicing Leave No Trace principles and respecting local regulations and guidelines.

It’s important to note that Gasherbrum I is a challenging mountain, and climbing it involves significant risks. Hiring experienced guides or joining established mountaineering organizations is highly recommended to ensure safety and increase the chances of a successful summit attempt.

The best season to climb Broad Gasherbrum I:

The most favorable season to climb is summer. Most of the ascents have been accomplished in July and August as they are the warmest months of the year. The expedition to the summit of Gasherbrum I   is more gratifying in these months than winter. However, the first winter ascent to the summit was accomplished by Adam Bielecki and Janusz Golab from Poland on March 9, 2012, without any supplementary oxygen marking an extraordinary history.

Overall, a Gasherbrum I expedition offers a thrilling and demanding experience for experienced mountaineers who are prepared physically, mentally, and logistically for the challenges that come with climbing one of the world’s highest peaks.

GO ON 50 DAYS TRIP FOR
  • Best Price Guarantee
  • Hassle-Free Booking
  • No Booking or Credit Card Fees

Associated Partners

You will love all of the features in our theme. 100% guaranteed satisfaction.